July 2020 Newsletter
Cancer Treatment and the Pelvic Floor
There are many different types of cancer whose treatments may impact the ability of the pelvic floor muscles to function properly. These types of cancer include, but are not limited to, uterine, cervical, vulvar, ovarian, prostate, colon, rectal, and anal cancers. Most often, patients will undergo surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these. The impacts from each of these treatments may impact the pelvic floor in different ways.
Surgery can disrupt muscle fibers or the nerves that supply sensation. This may impact a person’s ability to effectively contract the pelvic floor muscles which may contribute to incontinence. Surgery can result in scar tissue formation which may lead to muscle tension, pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, as well as muscle weakness. Alterations in hormones may also take place with removal of reproductive organs which can impact libido and a variety of other processes.
Chemotherapy has a high impact on mucosal membranes which may contribute to sores, decreased lubrication, and overall irritation of the tissues. This process may contribute to pain during intercourse and can potentially increase pelvic floor muscle tension.
If radiation is required, fibrosis of the tissues may occur. Tissue fibrosis is a hardening of the tissues which can impact the ability of the pelvic floor muscles to contract and prevent bowel/bladder leakage and can cause the muscles/tissues to have difficulty stretching which can contribute to pelvic pain, bowel/bladder urgency, and sexual dysfunction.
Although these treatments may contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction, there is good news! Research has shown that pelvic floor physical therapy can decrease the occurrence of pelvic floor dysfunction and improve quality of life in cancer survivors. A pelvic floor physical therapist may work on pelvic floor muscle strengthening to help with incontinence. Alternatively, they may begin working on scar tissue mobility and techniques to decrease pelvic floor muscle tension which can help reduce pain and bowel/bladder urgency.
Surgery can disrupt muscle fibers or the nerves that supply sensation. This may impact a person’s ability to effectively contract the pelvic floor muscles which may contribute to incontinence. Surgery can result in scar tissue formation which may lead to muscle tension, pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, as well as muscle weakness. Alterations in hormones may also take place with removal of reproductive organs which can impact libido and a variety of other processes.
Chemotherapy has a high impact on mucosal membranes which may contribute to sores, decreased lubrication, and overall irritation of the tissues. This process may contribute to pain during intercourse and can potentially increase pelvic floor muscle tension.
If radiation is required, fibrosis of the tissues may occur. Tissue fibrosis is a hardening of the tissues which can impact the ability of the pelvic floor muscles to contract and prevent bowel/bladder leakage and can cause the muscles/tissues to have difficulty stretching which can contribute to pelvic pain, bowel/bladder urgency, and sexual dysfunction.
Although these treatments may contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction, there is good news! Research has shown that pelvic floor physical therapy can decrease the occurrence of pelvic floor dysfunction and improve quality of life in cancer survivors. A pelvic floor physical therapist may work on pelvic floor muscle strengthening to help with incontinence. Alternatively, they may begin working on scar tissue mobility and techniques to decrease pelvic floor muscle tension which can help reduce pain and bowel/bladder urgency.
For more information please email:
sullivanphysicaltherapy@yahoo.com
sullivanphysicaltherapy@yahoo.com
SPT Spotlight
Christina McGee, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Physical Therapist
Christina McGee earned a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from the University of Iowa and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Delaware. She has been with Sullivan Physical Therapy since graduating in 2013. Christina is the head of Sullivan Physical Therapy's pediatric bowel and bladder program as well as the coordinator of clinical education. She has particular interests in the areas of sexual health, trauma, and pregnancy/postpartum recovery. Christina helped to start a collaboration between Austin Area Birthing Center and Sullivan Physical Therapy with a vision of postpartum physical therapy for all and treats at the South location weekly.
Christina is passionate about empowering patients through information, helping them to understand what is going on in their bodies and steps they can take to help alleviate symptoms. She enjoys sharing information with the public through speaking engagements on topics of pelvic health, especially in regards to prevention and recognition of symptoms.
Christina is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association.
Christina is originally from Chicago and lives in South Austin with her husband, daughters, and dog. She enjoys cooking, yoga, and trying new things.
Christina is passionate about empowering patients through information, helping them to understand what is going on in their bodies and steps they can take to help alleviate symptoms. She enjoys sharing information with the public through speaking engagements on topics of pelvic health, especially in regards to prevention and recognition of symptoms.
Christina is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association.
Christina is originally from Chicago and lives in South Austin with her husband, daughters, and dog. She enjoys cooking, yoga, and trying new things.
Update Regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Sullivan Physical Therapy would like to assure our patients we are being proactive regarding the announcement from the Center for Disease Control about the spread of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) in the United States and the World Health Organization declaration of the COVID-19 outbreak as a global pandemic.
As part of the Austin Health Community we take this charge very seriously and we want you to know what we are doing to make Sullivan Physical Therapy a safe place for patients to be seen.
What is Sullivan Physical Therapy doing to prevent spreading COVID-19:
We will continue to assess and monitor as this progresses and will respond accordingly.
As with any respiratory virus, you can protect yourself by taking everyday actions. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with this helpful information:
What is 2019 COVID-19?
How is COVID-19 spread?
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
How can I prevent getting or spreading the COVID-19?
Below are variety of helpful links with additional information regarding the COVID-19:
We are committed to continuing to provide excellent care to the Austin Community during this time. Please feel free to ask any of our staff if you have any questions or concerns.
As part of the Austin Health Community we take this charge very seriously and we want you to know what we are doing to make Sullivan Physical Therapy a safe place for patients to be seen.
What is Sullivan Physical Therapy doing to prevent spreading COVID-19:
- Putting CDC recommended protocols in place to ensure the highest level of prepared COVID-19 prevention.
- Ensuring we have necessary supplies and equipment, and appropriate staffing.
- Provide all employees with N95 masks to use while inside the clinic.
- Placed UV air purifiers in the waiting room and each treatment room to address microorganisms such as viruses in the air.
- Rearranged our waiting room to allow for social distancing.
- Removed all magazines and chocolate from the waiting room.
- Converted all toilets to be contact free flush.
- Increased our cleaning protocols in between patients both in the treatment rooms and common areas.
- Increased our daily cleaning and disinfecting protocols with additional frequent deep cleans.
- Ask all employees and patients who have symptoms of the COVID-19 (cough, shortness of breath, fever) to contact their healthcare provider before coming to the clinic.
We will continue to assess and monitor as this progresses and will respond accordingly.
As with any respiratory virus, you can protect yourself by taking everyday actions. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with this helpful information:
What is 2019 COVID-19?
- A new respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China that can cause severe illness and pneumonia in some people.
How is COVID-19 spread?
- Through the air by coughing and sneezing.
- Close personal contact, like touching or shaking hands.
- Touching something that has the virus on it (like a table or glass) then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
- Fever
- Chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
How can I prevent getting or spreading the COVID-19?
- Wash your hands often
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze
- Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
- Be sure to drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest
Below are variety of helpful links with additional information regarding the COVID-19:
We are committed to continuing to provide excellent care to the Austin Community during this time. Please feel free to ask any of our staff if you have any questions or concerns.
Austin Area Birthing Center
We are back! Sullivan Physical Therapy is excited to return to Austin Area Birthing Center. Christina McGee PT, DPT, will be on site at Austin Area Birthing Center South Wednesdays to provide physical therapy evaluations and treatments to pregnant and postpartum AABC clients to maximize health and healing and allow patients to get back to activities safely following delivery.
Postpartum pelvic floor physical therapy is standard in some other countries, with health systems recognizing that preventative care during the crucial healing period following delivery can save women from future suffering and save the system hundreds of thousands of dollars in medications and surgeries farther down the line. Problems such as incontinence, prolapse, scar pain, diastasis recti, back or hip pain, and pain with intercourse can be addressed and eliminated or even prevented all together with a post partum evaluation and recommendations or exercises from a pelvic floor physical therapist trained in postpartum health. To this point, these services are rarely offered in the United States.
Currently, AABC is allowing only one person (partner or family member) to accompany patients and children are not allowed in the center at this time. When you arrive, please wait outside and Christina will step out to greet you at the time of your appointment. She will walk you by the front desk for a brief screening prior to your session. Face coverings are required for all patients. Please bring a face covering with you if you have one. If you do not have one, we will provide you with one.
Please contact Sullivan Physical Therapy to learn more about this service please email christina@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com. If you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact our office at 512-335-9300.
Postpartum pelvic floor physical therapy is standard in some other countries, with health systems recognizing that preventative care during the crucial healing period following delivery can save women from future suffering and save the system hundreds of thousands of dollars in medications and surgeries farther down the line. Problems such as incontinence, prolapse, scar pain, diastasis recti, back or hip pain, and pain with intercourse can be addressed and eliminated or even prevented all together with a post partum evaluation and recommendations or exercises from a pelvic floor physical therapist trained in postpartum health. To this point, these services are rarely offered in the United States.
Currently, AABC is allowing only one person (partner or family member) to accompany patients and children are not allowed in the center at this time. When you arrive, please wait outside and Christina will step out to greet you at the time of your appointment. She will walk you by the front desk for a brief screening prior to your session. Face coverings are required for all patients. Please bring a face covering with you if you have one. If you do not have one, we will provide you with one.
Please contact Sullivan Physical Therapy to learn more about this service please email christina@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com. If you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact our office at 512-335-9300.
Updates from the Physical Therapy Team
In June...
The following webinars were recorded by the physical therapy staff:
In July,
The following webinars were recorded by the physical therapy staff:
- Bladder Control Post-Prostactomy - Amethyst Guerrero, PT, DPT, gives words of wisdom about bladder control after surgery.
- Hip Mobility Yoga - Sima Shalchi, PT, DPT, RYT host a class on hip mobility. Modifications are given for a variety of poses, making this class appropriate for all ages and bodies.
- Postpartum Wellness - Jamille Niewiara, PT, DPT discusses pelvic floor physical therapy and lactation support.
- Physical Therapy for Endometriosis - Angela Dobinsky, PT, DPT talks about how physical therapy can help those who are suffering with endometriosis.
- Dilators - Amethyst Guerrero, PT, DPT discusses dilator use for pelvic pain.
In July,
- On July 3, Jamille Niewiara, PT, DPT will have her last day with Sullivan Physical Therapy. Jamille has been part of our team for over four years, first as our student and second as a physical therapist. We are sad to see her go, but we want to wish her the best of luck with her move with her family. Jamille's patients will be re-assigned to another physical therapist on our team. If you have any questions please reach out to kimberlee@sullivanphysicaltherapy.com.
Under Construction
Every summer we complete projects to continuously provide a clean and up to date space for our patients to receive treatment and for our staff to work. This summer we have several updates to the clinic which include remodeling the two patient bathrooms, painting the staff's breakroom and having all carpets and drapes cleaned. Please pardon our dust in the month of July and August as we complete these updates to the clinic.
PT Below the Waist
Jamille Niewiara and Jessica Chastka are co-hosts of Sullivan Physical Therapy's podcast called "PT: Below the Waist", a patient oriented podcast discussing topics related to pelvic floor physical therapy and how it addresses bladder, bowel, and sexual function issues. The podcast features two pelvic floor physical therapists casually conversing about their experiences and thoughts towards pelvic floor related issues.
Every few weeks, they will be posting podcasts about different diagnoses, tips/recommendations to address symptoms, and interviews with medical professionals. Subscribe to their podcast on iTunes, follow them on Twitter @PTBelowTheWaist, and like them on FaceBook. Leave comments and questions on their email: PTBelowTheWaist@gmail.com.
Sullivan Physical Therapy encourages you to listen to their podcasts and get enlightened about "Better Pee, Better Poo, Better Sex".
To listen to our latest podcast please click here.
Every few weeks, they will be posting podcasts about different diagnoses, tips/recommendations to address symptoms, and interviews with medical professionals. Subscribe to their podcast on iTunes, follow them on Twitter @PTBelowTheWaist, and like them on FaceBook. Leave comments and questions on their email: PTBelowTheWaist@gmail.com.
Sullivan Physical Therapy encourages you to listen to their podcasts and get enlightened about "Better Pee, Better Poo, Better Sex".
To listen to our latest podcast please click here.
